Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Trafficking

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Nader Robert Osama Yanis, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to the charge contained in a March 1, 2018, federal indictment.

Yanis’s father, Osama Nadir Yanis, 49, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on Dec. 4, 2018, as well as to possessing firearms in furtherance of the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Osama Yanis was the owner of Coffee Zone, a coffee shop in Columbia.

Both men were arrested when law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Osama Yanis’s residence on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, after witnessing the delivery of a crate that contained 72 pounds of high-grade marijuana. Officers discovered 33 additional pounds of marijuana and eight firearms inside the residence. They also seized $72,000 from a large gun safe inside the residence (where it was found with seven of the firearms; a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver was found on his desk next to the safe). Osama Yanis also turned over $20,042 that was in his possession.

Officers had been notified a few days earlier about two suspicious shipments addressed to another person at that same address. One crate contained approximately 50 pounds of marijuana and the second crate contained approximately 72 pounds of high-grade marijuana. On Feb. 19, 2018, the second crate was delivered to Osama Yanis’s residence in Columbia. Osama Yanis was observed accepting the delivery and conversing with the delivery personnel. A short time later, Nader Yanis arrived at the residence. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes later, Nader Yanis left the residence and was arrested during a vehicle stop.

Under federal statutes, Nader Yanis is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the FBI, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.